Judith Lillian Pittman

Jude Pittman passed on to the spirit world on May 3, 2026, at age 82 after a brief but devastating neurological illness. In one month, it took her vision, speech, and eventually her mind—but not her spirit. She faced it on her own terms, with strength and dignity. In the end, she was at peace.

A trailblazer, writer, publisher, caregiver, and culinary master, Jude was vibrant, creative, and mysterious. Her family can attest to many paranormal experiences in her presence – some of which made their way into her books. She had psychic gifts she eventually embraced through earth-based spiritual practices later in life.

Writing wasn’t just something she did – it was who she was. In 2010 she started a publishing company and became one of the few small Canadian book publishers who resisted the mega-pubs. She poured herself into writing mysteries and nurtured countless authors to write their best books. When JD joined her company, she was incredibly happy to pass the business on to family. She worked hard right up until her illness and fell asleep at night to the sound of Nero Wolfe mysteries. Mom was one of the few people who discovered their unique wellspring of creativity, embraced it, and made the world a better place as a result.

Jude saw her soulmate, John, for the first time at a bingo hall in Kelowna in the mid 90s. Their eyes met from across the room and she had a powerful vision telling her they would be together and she would care for him through a long illness. A journalist for the Okanagan newspaper, she was assigned a story about a Metis medicine man the next week and there was John. They were together for 35 years and the last seven she spent by his bedside, a dedicated caregiver who never complained or regretted a single moment.

Jude had no intention of ever becoming “a little old lady” – and she never did. After John passed, she was diligent about her health and fitness, which enabled her to be as productive as we all know she was later in life. Unfortunately, all her efforts couldn’t stop the one in a million disease from attacking her brain, but she was one in a million, so somehow that makes sense.

Mom always said John promised to come for her when it was her time to go. Sure enough he arrived about three days before she passed. She leaves behind three daughters who will miss her dearly: Tami, Billie, and Roxy and her son Chuck who remained in her heart though he was adopted and raised by his dad.

Life won’t be the same without her. She will be missed by many. She lived exactly how she wanted to live. And when it came time to leave, she orchestrated the logistics on her own terms.

She leaves a deep and lasting impact and will be dearly missed.

Arrangements entrusted to

Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services 250-766-4400

Condolences may be expressed to the family by phone or email through Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services: